Managing stamina in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, explained

Managing stamina in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is the key to surviving both intense combat and long journeys. Every action, from swinging a sword to blocking an incoming strike or even sprinting away from danger, eats away at stamina. Let it drop to zero, and you're completely vulnerable — unable to fight, defend, or even run.

In this guide, we’ll break down how managing stamina works in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, what affects it, and the best ways to manage it so you don’t find yourself gasping for breath when you need it the most.

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Managing stamina in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 – How it works

Stamina bar in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (Deep Silver)

Stamina isn’t just a simple energy bar — it’s tied directly to multiple character stats, including Health, Tiredness, and Hunger. Your maximum stamina is capped by your current health, meaning if you take damage, your stamina pool shrinks. This makes avoiding damage even more critical since less stamina means fewer actions before exhaustion kicks in.

Key mechanics in managing stamina:

• Stamina drains every time you attack, block, or sprint.
• Stamina regenerates when you stop performing actions.
• Maximum stamina shrinks as your health decreases.
• Perfect Blocks and Master Strikes consume significantly less stamina than regular blocks.
• Armor weight impacts stamina — heavier armor drains it faster.
• Drunkenness, poisoning, and overeating negatively affect stamina regeneration.

Check out: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 vs The Witcher 3: Similarities and differences explored

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Combat stamina management

1) Striking a balance

Every attack in KCD2 depletes stamina, and stronger attacks or combos burn through it even faster. If you’re reckless, you’ll be left completely defenseless. It’s crucial to pace your strikes and ensure you have enough fuel to defend or retreat when needed.

2) Blocking without wasting stamina

Blocking consumes stamina, and weaker enemies might not pose a problem. But against elite foes, using standard blocks will quickly deplete your stamina and leave you open to follow-up attacks. Instead, use Perfect blocks and Master strikes — these techniques use significantly less stamina and allow you to counterattack.

4) Dodging and footwork

Dodging also drains stamina. However, with the Nimble Stance perk, dodges cost 40% less. This making it easier to evade attacks without exhausting yourself.

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Increasing stamina – best perks and potions

Nimble stance for Managing stamina in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (Image via Deep Silver)

1) Perks to boost stamina efficiency

Certain perks directly impact how stamina is used. Picking the right ones can make a noticeable difference in combat and movement.

• Dominant hand: Using a one-handed weapon without a shield reduces attack stamina cost by 20% and makes blocking more effective.
• Ranger run: After sprinting for 10 seconds, stamina recovery gets a massive boost.
• Red mist: If your health drops below 25 points, stamina regenerates 4x faster and you gain +3 strength and agility.
• Nimble stance: Reduces the stamina cost of dodging by 40%.

2) Potions that help managing stamina

Potions can temporarily boost stamina and improve its regeneration. Here are the best ones to keep in your inventory:

• Bowman’s brew: Slows down stamina drain by 20% when aiming a bow for 10 minutes.
• Strong Artemisia: Boosts strength by 4 and cuts attack and defense stamina costs by 25% for 10 minutes.
• Painkiller Brew: Reduces stamina loss due to low health by 30%.
• Buck’s blood: Increases stamina by 30% for 20 minutes.

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Armor and stamina – The weight factor

The heavier the armor, the faster your stamina drains. While heavy armor protects against damage, it also makes it harder to fight effectively, as each movement becomes more costly in terms of stamina.

Armor strategy:

• Use lighter armor for duels or small skirmishes to maintain agility.
• Equip heavy armor for large-scale battles where stamina management is secondary to survivability.
• Balance your load — mix medium armor with light pieces to maintain mobility while staying protected.

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Best tips and tricks for managing stamina

• Keep nourishment levels between 50-100 — overeating affects stamina regeneration.
• Rest regularly — sleeping fully restores stamina and prevents exhaustion from setting in.
• Don’t spam attacks — time your strikes efficiently to conserve stamina.
• Master perfect blocks and Master strikes to defend without draining too much stamina.
• Sprint only when necessary — burning stamina while traveling can leave you vulnerable.
• Store excess items in your horse’s inventory to avoid unnecessary stamina drain from being over-encumbered.
• Pair vitality and Agility perks — this balances combat efficiency with stamina preservation.
• Cancel strikes strategically — this confuses enemies without using much stamina.

This sums up managing stamina in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.

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Also check out: 5 things you need to know about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2